Hi everyone!

I'm 16 weeks now, and am planning to take Step 1 when I'm 31 weeks. Does anyone have suggestions about accommodations I should ask for? My OB suggested more frequent bathroom breaks, and maybe permission to bring a pillow to the testing site. But how many bathroom breaks should I ask for (they force you to specify)?

Have you been through this? Any advice? I'm even wondering if I'm going to be able to get up close enough to the table, or if I should request an adjustable height chair?

Thanks!

The NBME is very VERY finicky about how the test is administered. Anything out of the ordinary could flag your case and you might end up waiting longer for your results while they investigate. That being said, you have I believe a 45 minute break which you can subdivide into multiple smaller breaks.

You can't leave the testing room DURING a block without it being counted as an occurrence (or whatever they call it)--and also your time will keep running. However, you can use some of your 45" between blocks to take a break.

I would suggest taking small 10-15" breaks between every 1-2 blocks, go to the bathroom, and grab a small snack. You'll have a shorter lunch break, but at least you'll have an empty bladder during the blocks!

You can find out what testing center administers the Step 1 exam (it was Prometric where I was at), and ask questions about the facilities any time (i.e. do they have adjustable chairs, etc.).

Hope that helps.

Thanks! visiting the testing center is a good idea. I know they're super-picky; I'm prepared to file the paperwork to request accommodations if it seems like I will need them. But if we get bathroom breaks every hour, maybe that should be enough...?

I took Step 1 when I was 30 weeks. I didn't get any special accommodations and it worked just fine. After every single block I went out to use the bathroom and drink some water. I had quick snacks between a couple blocks and took 20 minutes for lunch in the middle. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but I don't think Step 1 is EVER a pleasant experience. But I really don't think you'll need any special accommodations, as long as you use your break time wisely.

Good luck!

Thanks, nbp! you're the first person I've heard from who has suggested it might be possible to NOT have any accommodations. I'm tempted to do that, to be honest...the paperwork you have to file to get extra break time, etc. is a HUGE pain in the neck.

I also think that there's a small chance that I will finish some blocks a little early (I'm usually one of the first people in my class to finish tests--not that that means I'm the top scorer in my class(!), just I tend to be a fast test-taker), and just realized that if I do that, those minutes will get added on to my break time.

Anyway, I will think a little more! Thank you so much for the feedback!

Really? I would venture to guess that almost all pregnant women go without special accommodations. The NBME is famous for denying special requests, most notably this one, where they refused to give a nursing mom extra break time to pump (she had other issues, but that's a different post...)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/23/board_wont_relent_for_breast_feeding_mother/

I know this is an old post and you've probably taken the test or taking it soon! But I wanted to add my two cents for anyone else who comes across this now that I've taken the exam. I wasn't pregnant but I am breastfeeding a toddler who seems to think he's a newborn by how frequently he nurses!

I don't think extra accommodations are necessary at all. If you need a bathroom break, take 5 minutes between blocks to do it.

I was a little worried I wouldn't have enough time to pump, but I finished all but one block with 10 minutes to spare. I pumped twice during the day, had time to eat my lunch and snacks, and take a couple breaks just to clear my head a little. At the end of the day, I hadn't used any of my official break time - just the extra added time from finishing the blocks a little bit early.

I hope that helps anyone else in a similar situation!